BAHAWALPUR - The Department of Physiology, Islamia University of Bahawalpur (IUB) organized the 1st National Hands-on Training Workshop on Clinical Electrocardiography (ECG) at the Main Auditorium of Baghdad ul Jadeed Campus.
The major learning outcome of the one-day workshop was to understand the principles of ECG and learn a step-by-step approach in performing and interpreting an ECG test for appropriate diagnosis in human and veterinary clinical practice.
Chairman Department of Physiology Dr Umer Farooq talked about a few of the objectives of the workshop including inculcating the basic knowhow of ECG as a diagnostic tool in the human and veterinary medical profession within the target participants, to understand and disseminate the diagnostic approach of ECG for mainstream clinical indications and cardiac disorders both in human and veterinary practice, to create awareness about diagnostic efficacy of ECG as a simple tool for research, academics, and primary-care health practice. The workshop was the first of its kind in Pakistan which catered hands-on training practice in live ECG both for humans and pet animals.
The medical students and faculty, academicians, and researchers associated with the allied aspects of life sciences in Pakistan were the target audience. An enthusiastic response was witnessed for the registration of this workshop at a national level as more than 50 participants from about 11 various universities and institutes got themselves registered for it, including Quaid e Azam University Islamabad, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Lahore, Lahore College for Women University Lahore, GC University Faisalabad, and the Cholistan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bahawalpur.
The workshop was divided into two technical and one practical session of the ECG. Notable national electrophysiologists and guest speakers delivered their lectures on various technical aspects of ECG. A few of the notables included Prof. Dr. Habib Rehman, Dean Biosciences, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Lahore, Prof. Dr. Sohail Atta Rasool HOD Physiology, Quaid e Azam Medical College Bahawalpur, Prof. Dr. Irfan Zia Qureshi Quaid e Azam University Islamabad, Dr. Haseeb Anwar HOD Physiology GC University Faisalabad, and Dr. Imtiaz Rabbani, HOD Physiology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Lahore. The patron of the workshop Prof. Dr. M. Khalid Mansoor, Dean Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, the Islamia University of Bahawalpur welcomed all participants and the guests.
He apprised the attendees of the visionary approach of the Vice-Chancellor IUB Prof. Dr. Athar Mahboob in the uplift of the IUB at all fronts. The focal person of the workshop Dr. Zia Ur Rehman (Asst. Prof. Physiology) apprised the attendees of the soaring prevalence of cardiac disorders in the Pakistani human and livestock population. He also described the flow of the workshop in a detailed manner. In the limelight of this workshop, a colorful and interesting competition of models and academic posters prepared by the students was also organized.
The students of more than nine national universities participated in this competition. This competition was judged by Prof. Dr. Irfan Zia Qureshi (QAU Islamabad), Prof. Dr. Habib Rehman (University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Lahore), Prof. Dr. Sohail Atta Rasool (Quaid e Azam Medical College Bahawalpur), and Dr. Saffora Riaz (LCWU Lahore). They highly appreciated the critical approach, analytical thinking, and creativity of students while making the posters and models. The venue was further ordained by a painting exhibition of Dr. Asad Ali MPhil Physiology Scholar which gained deep attention and adoration of all attendees.
The organizers of the workshop had converted the hallway of the Main Auditorium of IUB into a clean ECG demonstration area. For the purpose of practical demonstration, two Resource Persons, Dr. Tahir Riaz, Post-graduate Resident Nephrology, Bahawal Victoria Hospital Bahawalpur, and Dr. Khalid Abdul Majeed, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Lahore separately demonstrated and catered an interactive hands-on practice to the participants in human and veterinary ECG. The tips and tricks related to a quick diagnosis of cardiac disorders in humans and pet animals were also conveyed to the participants. Small quizzes and interactive sessions made the workshop more interesting. At the end of the workshop, an open discussion session was moderated by Dr. Haseeb Anwar of GCU Faisalabad and Dr. Umer Farooq.
Practical and viable recommendations were put forth by the guest speakers and ECG experts. Prof. Dr. Sohail Atta Rasool Quaid e Azam Medical College Bahawalpur was of the opinion that ECG was a ‘Dying Art’ which needed enhancement and alignment with modern techniques such as catheterization. Prof. Dr. Junaid Ali Khan, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University of Agriculture Multan endorsed that the ECG should be made a compulsory diagnostic tool in veterinary practice in collaboration with the Livestock and Dairy Development Department of Punjab.The Resource Person for veterinary ECG, Dr. Khalid Abdul Majeed (UVAS Lahore) explained the vast avenues of research yet to be explored in terms of ECG in cattle, buffalo and zoo animals.
Dr. Haseeb Anwar (GCU Faisalabad) described how their research laboratory had initiated ECG in rat models and that he was willing to collaborate in research and academics with other institutes interested in these models. At the end of the workshop, the Chief organizer introduced his team/faculty members who had organized such a disciplined and coordinated workshop.
He explained the role of Dr. Musadiq Idris Asst. Prof. Physiology (Technical Secretary Workshop), Dr. Haroon Rashid Asst. Prof. Physiology (Secretary Workshop) and Dr. Aisha Mahmood Asst. Prof. Physiology (Venue Organizer and Stage Secretary Workshop) in organizing this national workshop.
He gratefully thanked Prof. Dr. Athar Mahboob, Vice-Chancellor the Islamia University of Bahawalpur, and all the directorates/administrative units of the IUB which had supported the organizers at every front, especially VC Secretariat, Directorate of Student Affairs, Directorate of Outreach, Communications, and Public Relations, Directorate of Sustainable Tourism, Transport Division and IUB Medical and Health Division. He also acknowledged the sponsorship of this workshop by Pakistan Science Foundation Islamabad, UM Enterprises Karachi, and Biotech Services Lahore.
